Hand-held buffing apparatus

ABSTRACT

A hand-held buffing apparatus ( 1 ) having a cylindrical body ( 6 ) with a core ( 7 ) and an outer pad ( 8 ) that spins around a horizontal axis located between a substantially U-shaped frame ( 2 ). Upper handles ( 5 ) extend upward from the substantially U-shaped frame. The placement of the upper handles is directly above two parallel outer members ( 3   a,    3   b ), thereby allowing a user to exert forward pressure on the buffing apparatus while ergonomically controlling the motion of the hand-held buffing apparatus. A motor ( 10 ) located on the substantially U-shaped frame and housed in one of the two parallel outer members is mechanically coupled to the cylindrical body to enable the cylindrical body to rotate about the horizontal axis horizontally and parallel to a desired surface.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This is a continuation-in-part application of Ser. No. 12/080,849 filedon Apr. 7, 2008. The patent application identified above is incorporatedhere by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to buffing devices, more particularly, to ahand-held buffing apparatus that is easy to use and does not createswirl marks on a surface being buffed.

Buffing apparatus are commonly used by automobile body shops anddetailing shops to buff and shine the surfaces of automobiles. Buffingdevices are also used on boats, recreational vehicles, etc. for the samepurpose. Current buffing devices typically have a housing that holds amotor, a handle extending from the bottom of the housing and a rotatingdrive shaft extending perpendicular from the top of the housing. Flatcircular buffing pads are attached to the drive shaft. A problem withcurrent buffing devices is the skill level required to use them. Thismainly is due to the flat circular buffing pads and their rotation onthe surface being buffed. The circular buffing pads cannot be placedflat on the surface being buffed, but instead the buffing pads have tobe placed at an angle on the surface. A user also has to pay specialattention to the speed of the buffing device and the pressure beingapplied to the buffing pad. Using current buffers takes a tremendousamount of skill that requires hours of practice to learn the propertechnique. If used improperly, current buffing devices can cause swirlmarks in the surface being buffed and/or irreparable damage to thesurface being buffed. However, even skilled users still cannot avoidsome minor swirl marks in the surface being buffed. In addition, the useof current buffing devices is very labor intensive. In fact, currentbuffering devices require that a user tape off the area being buffed inorder to avoid damage to plastic or rubber trim as circular buffing padswill cause damage to these areas if they come into contact. In addition,there are ergonomic problems caused by current buffering devices becauseof the design of the handles and the excessive amount of repetitivestrain placed upon the hands and the wrists. Furthermore, currentbuffing devices pose a safety risk as they do not have splash guards toprevent polishes, rubbing compounds and other foreign objects from beingthrown from a spinning buffing pad towards the user.

Therefore, a need exists for a hand-held buffing device that is easy touse, is ergonomic, is safe to use, will not damage trim or other areasadjacent to a surface being buffed and a device that will not causeswirl marks on the surface being buffed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a hand-heldbuffing apparatus that is easy to use.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a hand-heldbuffing apparatus that will not cause swirl marks in the surface beingbuffed.

An even further object of the present invention is to provide ahand-held buffing apparatus that will decrease the likliehood of damageto trim around the surface being buffed.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a hand-heldbuffing apparatus that has ergonomic handles.

An even further object of the present invention is to provide ahand-held buffing apparatus that provides a splash guard and splashshields for safety.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a hand-heldbuffing apparatus that can be adapted to other purposes such as sanding,grinding, etc.

The present invention fulfills the above and other objects by providinga hand-held buffing apparatus having a cylindrical body with a core andan outer pad that spins around a horizontal axis located between asubstantially U-shaped frame. The substantially U-shaped frame has twoparallel outer members and at least one cross member connecting the twoparallel outer members. Upper handles extend upward from thesubstantially U-shaped frame. The placement of the upper handles isdirectly above the two parallel outer members, thereby allowing a userto exert forward pressure on the buffing apparatus while ergonomicallycontrolling the side to side motion and up and forward to backwardmotion of the buffing apparatus while keeping the user's arms shoulderwidth from each other. The upper handles may also be pivotally attachedto the substantially U-shaped frame, via pivot points that allow a userto adjust the angle of the upper handles in relation to thesubstantially U-shaped frame. The cylindrical body is removably attachedvia an attachment means to the substantially U-shaped frame in-betweenand perpendicular to the parallel outer members along the horizontalaxis. The outer pad of the cylindrical body may be constructed out of avariety of materials, such as foam, wool, a brush, sandpaper, drywallsandpaper, grinding material, etc. The use of foam is preferred for mostbuffing applications because it allows a user to press the outer padagainst the surface being buffed, thereby creating a flat surface andgreater contact between the foam and the surface being buffed. Inaddition, the foam conforms to shaped surfaces and will not harm objectson vehicles, such as trim, emblems, glass, mirrors, etc. A motor locatedon the substantially U-shaped frame and housed in one of the twoparallel outer members and is mechanically coupled to the cylindricalbody to enable the cylindrical body to rotate about the horizontal axishorizontally and parallel to a desired surface. The motor is controlledby an activation means, such as a trigger, switch, button, etc. Thepower of the motor and the revolutions per minute (“RPM”) of thecylindrical body are controlled by a variable speed dial. The power ofthe motor and the RPM of the cylindrical body may also be controlled byapplying more or less pressure on the trigger. For example, if a useradjusts the variable speed dial to full power, then the user may run themotor at full power by fully pressing the trigger or to half power byonly pressing the trigger half way. A user may also lock the trigger inplace using a trigger lock, thereby allowing the user to continue usingthe buffing apparatus without having to be in physical contact with thetrigger. A splash guard having a upper edge and a lower edge extendsupward from the substantially U-shaped frame over the top of thecylindrical body. A upper splash shield, preferably made of a flexiblematerial, extends downward from the upper edge of the splash guard andrests against the cylindrical body. The upper splash shield preventspolishes, rubbing compounds and so forth from spraying onto the surfacebeing buffed and/or onto the user. A lower splash shield, preferablymade of a flexible material, extends downward from the lower edge of thesplash guard. The lower splash shield prevents polishes, rubbingcompounds and so forth from spraying out of the back of the buffingapparatus onto the user and/or onto the surface being buffed. The lowersplash shield may also be used as a squeegee to spread polishes, rubbingcompounds and so forth on the surface being buffed. The upper splashshield and the lower splash shield may be removably attached to thesplash guard to allow for easy cleaning of the splash shields. Ahorizontal handle is located between the two parallel outer members. Thehorizontal handle allows a user to carry the buffing apparatus when notin use and to use the buffing apparatus on areas that are hard to reachlike the roofs of cars or trucks. For example, a user can activate themotor using the trigger and trigger lock then use the horizontal handleto move the buffing apparatus back and forth over the roof of a car. Aheight extension bar that attaches to the buffing allows a user to usethe buffer apparatus of elevated surfaces. The height extension bar maybe telescoping to allow a user to adjust the height of the elongatedhandle. In addition, the height extension bar includes a trigger and avariable speed dial to control the motor of the buffing apparatus.

The buffing apparatus may be used to buff the surfaces of automobiles,motor homes, boats, air planes etc. In addition, the hand-held buffingapparatus can be used for a number of purposes other than just buffing.For example, the hand-held buffing apparatus may be used to polishgranite, to sand drywall, clean floors, polish floors and othersurfaces, to clean surfaces, etc.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention should become even more readily apparent to those skilled inthe art upon a reading of the following detailed description inconjunction with the drawings wherein there is shown and describedillustrative embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following detailed description, reference will be made to theattached drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a hand-held buffing apparatus ofthe present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of a hand-held buffing apparatus of the presentinvention;

FIG. 3 is a top view of a hand-held buffing apparatus of the presentinvention;

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of a hand-held buffing apparatus of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 is a front cutaway view of an attachment means of a hand-heldbuffing apparatus of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a side view of a detachable height extension bar that attachesto the hand-held buffing apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

For purposes of describing the preferred embodiment, the terminologyused in reference to the numbered accessories in the drawings is asfollows:

1. buffing apparatus

2. U-shaped frame

3 a. first outer member

3 b. second outer member

4. cross member

5. upper handle

6. cylindrical body

7. core

8. outer pad

9. attachment means

10. motor

11. activation means

12. trigger

13. variable speed dial

14. trigger lock

15. splash guard

16. upper edge

17. lower edge

18. upper splash shield

19. lower splash shield

20. horizontal handle

21. pivot point

22. mechanical coupling means

23. quick release means

24. axle

25. shaped head

26. shaped aperture

27. knob

28. free spinning aperture

29. ball bearing

30. spring

31. height extension bar

32. distal end

33. proximal end

34. securing means

35. side stand

36. tab

With reference to FIG. 1, a front perspective view of a hand-heldbuffing apparatus 1 of the present invention is shown. The buffingapparatus 1 comprises a substantially U-shaped frame 2 having twoparallel outer members 3 a, 3 b and at least one cross member 4connecting the two parallel outer members 3 a, 3 b, with upper handles 5extending upward from the substantially U-shaped frame 2. The placementof the upper handles 5 is directly above the two parallel outer members3 a, 3 b, thereby allowing a user to exert forward pressure on thebuffing apparatus 1 and to easily control the buffing apparatus 1 whilekeeping the user's arms shoulder width from each other. The upperhandles 5 may also be pivotally attached to the substantially U-shapedframe 2, via pivot points 21, as shown in FIG. 2. A cylindrical body 6having a core 7 and an outer pad 8 is removably attached via anattachment means 9 to the substantially U-shaped frame 2 in-between andperpendicular to the parallel outer members 3 a, 3 b along a horizontalaxis. The outer pad 8 may be constructed out of a variety of materials,such as foam, a buffing pad, wool, micro fiber, a brush, sandpaper,drywall sandpaper, etc. A motor 10 is located on the substantiallyU-shaped frame 2 and, as shown here, preferably housed in one of the twoparallel outer members 3 a. The motor 10 is mechanically coupled to thecylindrical body 6 to enable the cylindrical body 6 to rotate about thehorizontal axis horizontally and parallel to a desired surface. Themotor 10 is controlled by an activation means 11, such as a trigger 12(as shown here), switch, button, etc. The power of the motor 10 and therevolutions per minute (“RPM”) of the cylindrical body 6 are controlledby a variable speed dial 13. The power of the motor 10 and the RPM ofthe cylindrical body 6 may also be controlled by applying more or lesspressure on the trigger 12. For example, if a user adjusts the variablespeed dial 13 to full power, then the user may run the motor at fullpower by fully pressing the trigger 12 or to half power by only pressingthe trigger 12 half way. A user may also lock the trigger 12 in placeusing a trigger lock 14, thereby allowing the user to continue using thebuffing apparatus 1 without having to be in physical contact with thetrigger 12. A splash guard 15 having an upper edge 16 extends upwardfrom the substantially U-shaped frame 2 over the top of the cylindricalbody 6. An upper splash shield 18, preferably made of a flexiblematerial, extends downward from the upper edge 16 of the splash guard 15and rests against the cylindrical body 6. The upper splash shield 18prevents polishes, rubbing compounds and so forth from spraying onto thesurface being buffed and acts as a scraper on the cylindrical body 6,thereby removing any foreign objects from the surface of the cylindricalbody 6. The upper splash shield 18 may be removably attached to thesplash guard 15 to allow for easy cleaning of the upper splash shield18. A horizontal handle 20 is located between the two parallel outermembers 3 a, 3 b. The horizontal handle 20 allows a user to carry thebuffing apparatus 1 when not in use and to use the buffing apparatus 1on areas that are hard to reach like the roofs of cars or trucks. Forexample, a user can activate the motor 10 using the trigger 12 andtrigger lock 14 then use the horizontal handle 20 to move the buffingapparatus 1 back and forth over the roof of a car. A side stand 35having a plurality of tabs 36 extending from the parallel outer members3 a, 3 b allow a user to place the buffing apparatus 1 in a sidewaysposition on a horizontal surface so that the cylindrical body 6 will notget dirty.

With reference to FIG. 2, a side view of a hand-held buffing apparatus 1of the present invention is shown. Upper handles 5 extend upward fromparallel outer members 3 a, 3 b. As shown here, the upper handles 5 arepivotally attached to the parallel outer members 3 a, 3 b, via pivotpoints 21. A cylindrical body 6 removably attached in-between andperpendicular to the parallel outer members 3 a, 3 b along a horizontalaxis. A motor 10 is housed in one of the two parallel outer members 3 a,3 b. The motor 10 is mechanically coupled to the cylindrical body 6 toenable the cylindrical body 6 to rotate about the horizontal axishorizontally and parallel to a desired surface. The motor 10 iscontrolled by an activation means 11, such as a trigger 12 (as shownhere), switch, button, etc. The power of the motor 10 and the RPM of thecylindrical body 6 are controlled by a variable speed dial 13. A usermay also lock the trigger 12 in place using a trigger lock 14, therebyallowing the user to continue using the buffing apparatus 1 withouthaving to be in physical contact with the trigger 12. A splash guard 15having an upper edge 16 and a lower edge 17 extends upward from thesubstantially U-shaped frame 2 over the top of the cylindrical body 6.An upper splash shield 18, preferably made of a flexible material,extends downward from the upper edge 16 of the splash guard 15 and restsagainst the cylindrical body 6. The upper splash shield 18 preventspolishes, rubbing compounds and so forth from spraying onto the surfacebeing buffed and acts as a scraper on the cylindrical body 6, therebyremoving any foreign objects from the surface of the cylindrical body 6.A lower splash shield 19, preferably made of a flexible material,extends downward from the lower edge 17 of the splash guard 15. Thelower splash shield 19 prevents polishes, rubbing compounds and so forthfrom spraying out of the back of the buffing apparatus 1 onto the useror onto the surface being buffed. The lower splash shield 19 may also beused as a squeegee to spread polishes, rubbing compounds and so forth onthe surface being buffed. The upper splash shield 18 and the lowersplash shield 19 may be removably attached to the splash guard 15 toallow for easy cleaning of the upper splash shield 18 and the lowersplash shield 19. A side stand 35 having a plurality of tabs 36extending from the parallel outer members 3 a, 3 b allow a user to placethe buffing apparatus 1 in a sideways position on a horizontal surfaceso that the cylindrical body 6 will not get dirty.

With reference to FIG. 3, a top view of a hand-held buffing apparatus 1of the present invention is shown. The buffing apparatus 1 comprises asubstantially U-shaped frame 2 having two parallel outer members 3 a, 3b and at least one cross member 4 connecting the two parallel outermembers 3 a, 3 b. Upper handles 5 extending upward from thesubstantially U-shaped frame 2. The placement of the upper handles 5 isdirectly above the two parallel outer members 3 a, 3 b, thereby allowinga user to exert forward pressure on the buffing apparatus 1 and toeasily control the buffing apparatus 1 while keeping the user's armsshoulder width from each other. A cylindrical body 6 is removablyattached via an attachment means 9 to the substantially U-shaped frame 2in-between and perpendicular to the parallel outer members 3 a, 3 balong a horizontal axis. A motor 10 is located on the substantiallyU-shaped frame 2. The motor 10 is mechanically coupled to thecylindrical body 6 to enable the cylindrical body 6 to rotate about thehorizontal axis horizontally and parallel to a desired surface. Thepower of the motor 10 and the RPM of the cylindrical body 6 arecontrolled by a variable speed dial 13. A splash guard 15 having anupper edge 16 extends upward from the substantially U-shaped frame 2over the top of the cylindrical body 6. An upper splash shield 18,preferably made of a flexible material, extends downward from the upperedge 16 of the splash guard 15 and rests against the cylindrical body 6.The upper splash shield 18 prevents polishes, rubbing compounds and soforth from spraying onto the surface being buffed and acts as a scraperon the cylindrical body 6, thereby removing any foreign objects from thesurface of the cylindrical body 6. The upper splash shield 18 may beremovably attached to the splash guard 15 to allow for easy cleaning ofthe splash shield 18. A horizontal handle 20 is located between the twoparallel outer members 3 a, 3 b.

With reference to FIG. 4, a bottom view of a hand-held buffing apparatus1 of the present invention is shown. The buffing apparatus 1 comprises asubstantially U-shaped frame 2 having two parallel outer members 3 a, 3b and at least one cross member 4 connecting the two parallel outermembers 3 a, 3 b. A cylindrical body 6 removably attached in-between andperpendicular to the parallel outer members 3 a, 3 b along a horizontalaxis. A motor 10 is housed in one of the two parallel outer members 3 a,3 b. The motor 10 is mechanically coupled to the cylindrical body 6 toenable the cylindrical body 6 to rotate about the horizontal axishorizontally and parallel to a desired surface. A splash guard 15 havinga lower edge 17 extends upward from the substantially U-shaped frame 2over the top of the cylindrical body 6. A lower splash shield 19,preferably made of a flexible material, extends downward from the loweredge 17 of the splash guard 15. The lower splash shield 19 preventspolishes, rubbing compounds and so forth from spraying out of the backof the buffing apparatus 1 onto the user or onto the surface beingbuffed. The lower splash shield 19 may also be used as a squeegee tospread polishes, rubbing compounds and so forth on the surface beingbuffed. A horizontal handle 20 is located between the two parallel outermembers 3 a, 3 b.

With reference to FIG. 5, a front cutaway view of an attachment means 9of a hand-held buffing apparatus 1 of the present invention is shown.The attachment means 9 comprises a mechanical coupling means 22 and aquick release means 23. The mechanical coupling means 22 extends from afirst outer member 3 a perpendicular to the first outer member 3 a. Themechanical coupling means 22 attaches the cylindrical body 6 to themotor 10, thereby enabling the cylindrical body 6 to rotate about ahorizontal axis horizontally and parallel to a desired surface. Themechanical coupling means 22 comprises an axle 24 having a shaped head25 that fits into a correspondingly shaped aperture 26 on thecylindrical body 6. For example, the head 25 may be shaped like ahexagonal nut that fits into a hexagonal aperture on the cylindricalbody 6 or the head 25 may be shaped like a cross nut that fits into across-shaped aperture on the cylindrical body 6. The quick release means23 comprises a knob 27 having an axle 24 extending therefrom that passesthrough the second outer member 3 b and engages a free spinning aperture28 having ball bearings 29 that allow the cylindrical body 6 to spinfreely about the axle 24 when rotated by the motor 10 via the mechanicalcoupling means 22. A spring 30 located in the second outer member 3 bprovides resistance to the quick release means 23, thereby ensuring thatthe axle 24 remains in an engaged position with the free spinningaperture 28. To remove a cylindrical body 6 from the buffing apparatus,a user simply pulls the knob 27, thereby disengaging the axle 24 fromthe free spinning aperture 28.

Finally, with reference to FIG. 5, a side view of a detachable heightextension bar 31 that attaches to the hand-held buffing apparatus 1 isshown. The height extension bar 31 allows a user to use the buffingapparatus 1 on elevated surfaces that are out of reach from the ground.The height extension bar 31 may be telescoping to allow a user to adjustthe height of the height extension bar 31. The height extension bar 31has a distal end 32 and an proximal end 33. A securing means 34 forattaching the height extension bar 31 to the buffing apparatus 1 islocated on the distal end 32. An activation means 11, such as a trigger12, a variable speed dial 13 and a trigger lock 14 are all located onthe proximal end 33 of the height extension bar 31. The activation means11, such as a trigger 12, a variable speed dial 13 and a trigger lock 14are electronically coupled to the motor 10 when the height extension bar31 is attached to the buffing apparatus 1, thereby allowing a user tocontrol the motor 10 using the height extension bar 31.

It is to be understood that while a preferred embodiment of theinvention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific formor arrangement of parts herein described and shown. It will be apparentto those skilled in the art that various changes may be made withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention and the invention is not to beconsidered limited to what is shown and described in the specificationand drawings.

1. A hand-held buffing apparatus for buffing a desired surface, saidhand-held buffing apparatus comprising: a frame having at least oneouter member perpendicular to a normally horizontal axis and secured toat least one cross member; a cylindrical body removably attached to theat least one outer member along the horizontal axis with an attachmentmeans; a motor being mechanically coupled to said cylindrical body forenabling said cylindrical body to rotate about said normally horizontalaxis horizontally and parallel to said desired surface; said motor beingsecured to said frame; and at least one upper handle extending upwardfrom said frame, thereby allowing a user to exert forward pressure onthe buffing apparatus.
 2. The hand-held buffing apparatus of claim 1wherein: said frame forms a substantially U-shaped configuration.
 3. Thehand-held buffing apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: at least onepivot point located between the at least one upper handle and the framethat allows a user to adjust the angle of the at least one upper handlein relation to the frame.
 4. The hand-held buffing apparatus of claim 1further comprising: a splash guard having an upper edge and a loweredge; said splash guard extending upward from said frame and partiallyover said cylindrical body.
 5. The hand-held buffing apparatus of claim4 further comprising: an upper splash shield located along the upperedge of the splash guard.
 6. The hand-held buffing apparatus of claim 4further comprising: an lower splash shield located along the lower edgeof the splash guard.
 7. The hand-held buffing apparatus of claim 1wherein said attachment means further comprises: a mechanical couplingmeans located on the frame between the cylindrical body and the motorfor transferring rotational power from the motor to the cylindricalbody; and a quick release means located on the frame.
 8. The hand-heldbuffing apparatus of claim 7 wherein said mechanical coupling meansfurther comprises: an axle having a shaped head that corresponds to andengages a shaped aperture located on the cylindrical body, therebyallowing rotational power from the motor to be transferred to thecylindrical body through the axle and the shaped head.
 9. The hand-heldbuffing apparatus of claim 7 wherein said quick release means furthercomprises: a knob; an axle connected to the knob that passes through theframe and engages a free spinning aperture located on the cylindricalbody.
 10. The hand-held buffing apparatus of claim 9 wherein said quickrelease means further comprises: a spring located around the axle thatholds the axle in an engaged position with the free spinning aperturelocated on the cylindrical body.
 11. The hand-held buffing apparatus ofclaim 9 wherein said spinning aperture further comprises: at least oneball bearing.
 12. The hand-held buffing apparatus of claim 1 wherein:said cylindrical body further comprises a core and an outer pad locatedon the core.
 13. The hand-held buffing apparatus of claim 12 wherein:said outer pad is a buffing pad.
 14. The hand-held buffing apparatus ofclaim 12 wherein: said outer pad is made of foam.
 15. The hand-heldbuffing apparatus of claim 12 wherein: said outer pad is a brush. 16.The hand-held buffing apparatus of claim 12 wherein: said outer pad ismicro fiber.
 17. The hand-held buffing apparatus of claim 12 wherein:said outer pad is a sand paper.
 18. The hand-held buffing apparatus ofclaim 1 further comprising: an activation means for activating anddeactivating said motor.
 19. The hand-held buffing apparatus of claim 18wherein: said activation means is a trigger.
 20. The hand-held buffingapparatus of claim 18 further comprising: a variable speed dial forenabling speed rotation control of said cylindrical body.
 21. Thehand-held buffing apparatus of claim 18 further comprising: a triggerlock for locking said activation means in a desired position.
 22. Thehand-held buffing apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: at least onehorizontal handle secure to the at least one outer member.
 23. Thehand-held buffing apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: a side standlocated on the at least one outer member.
 24. The hand-held buffingapparatus of claim 23 wherein: said side stand further comprises atleast one tab located on the at least one outer member.
 25. Thehand-held buffing apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: an heightextension bar having a proximal end and a distal end.
 26. The hand-heldbuffing apparatus of claim 25 wherein: said height extension bar isremovably attachable to the buffing apparatus via a securing means. 27.The hand-held buffing apparatus of claim 25 wherein: said heightextension bar further comprises an activation means located on theproximal end.
 28. The hand-held buffing apparatus of claim 25 wherein:said height extension bar further comprises a variable speed controllocated on the proximal end.
 29. The hand-held buffing apparatus ofclaim 25 wherein: said height extension bar further comprises a triggerlock located on the proximal end.